Masantol

The municipality is named after the santol trees that used to grow abundantly in the area. Another theory suggests that the town was where santol fruits were heavily bartered (Kapampangans being fond of 'sinigang' dish). Still another legend of how the town got its name goes like this: 'A Spanish missionary came to the town for the first time. Upon reaching a roadside corner store, he parked his horse-driven vehicle and inquired from the storekeeper the name of the place. A middle-aged woman vendor, believing that the Spanish priest was asking for the name of the fruits she was selling, readily responded in broken Spanish language, Padre, todos dulce Masantol. The priest took from his pocket a pencil and a small diary and wrote down the word mas santol, referring to the name of the place he has visited. At the time, the locality abounded with santol trees, and santol fruits were in season when the priest visited the place. ==History==

San Miguel de Masantol May 1, 1878 Originally named San Miguel de Masantol and a part of the town of Macabebe, three of the town's leading patriarchs - Manuel Fajardo, Gregorio Bautista, and Juan Lacap - filed a motion on June 26, 1877, to separate the barrios of Bebe, Bulacus, Caingin and Nigui from Macabebe thereby creating a new Spanish pueblo called San Miguel. This new pueblo was approved by Spanish Governor General Domingo Moriones y Murillo and was inaugurated on May 1, 1878. On November 30, 1893, the Catholic Parish of San Miguel was formally acknowledged through a Royal Decree. For a while it came to be known San Miguel Masantol, until popular usage reverted it to the original name. Balen ning Masantol 1907 On July 26, 1904, Masantol once more became part of Macabebe. However, in 1907, Masantol was again reinstated as a separate independent municipality and this lasted up to the present. ==Geography==

Masantol is almost surrounded by the municipality of Macabebe (For it was once a former part of the town). It is known to be the southernmost town in the province of Pampanga. It is bounded to the north by the municipality of Macabebe; to the east by the municipalities of Calumpit and Hagonoy in Bulacan; to the west by Macabebe; and to the south by some parts of Macabebe and Manila Bay. Masantol is from San Fernando and from Manila. Climate {{Weather box Barangays Masantol is politically subdivided into 26 barangays, as shown below. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. • Alauli • Bagang • Balibago • Bebe Anac • Bebe Matua • Bulacus • San Agustin (Caingin) • Santa Monica (Caingin) • Cambasi • Malauli • Nigui • Palimpe • Puti • Sagrada (Tibagin) • San Isidro Anac • San Isidro Matua (Poblacion) • San Nicolas (Poblacion) • San Pedro • Santa Cruz • Santa Lucia Matua • Santa Lucia Paguiaba • Santa Lucia Wakas • Santa Lucia Anac (Poblacion) • Sapang Kawayan • Sua • Santo Niño Sitios • Bebe Arabia • Sagrada 2 ==Demographics==

In the 2024 census, the population of Masantol was 57,207 people, with a density of . Religion The majority of the population are members of the Roman Catholic Church where each village or barangay has its own fiesta. The main Roman Catholic parish church of the town is the San Miguel Parish Church in Barangay San Nicolas which was established in the late 20th century. 80% of the population identified with the Roman Catholic Church and it is followed by the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Islam, and other beliefs. == Economy ==

• Batalla San Miguel Arkangel (Apung Igue) - May 8, All Masantolenos • Battalla Santo Niño - every last Sunday of January. - Barangay Santo Nino • Batalla Santa Monica - May 4. - Barangay Santa Monica Caingin • Batalla San Roque de Montpelier (Apung Duque) - August 15,16,17 Sitio Bebe Arabia, Barangay Bebe Anac • Batalla San Roque (Apung Duque) - 3rd or 4th Sunday of April - Sitio Bebe Arabia, Barangay Bebe Anac, Barangay Bebe Matua • Batalla San Roque de Montpelier (Apung Duque) - August 15,16,17 Barangay Bebe Matua • Fiesta de San Nicolas (Apung Culas) - May 12 and September 10 - Barangay San Nicolas • Feast of The HOLY ROSARY - every 2nd Saturday of October in BULACUS MASANTOL • Batalla de Santa Lucia (Apung Lucia) - December 13 of the year. - Barangay Santa Lucia Wakas, Matua, Anac • Batalla de San Agustin (Apung Gustin)- August 28 Barangay San Agustin Caingin • Limbun at Libad or Labas Larawan (Celebration of the Saints) in each barrio/barangay celebrating their patron saint for ones a week in January. • Nuestra Señora Dela Paz Y Buenviaje Festival- Baranggay Sapang Kawayan ==Education==

There are two schools district offices which govern all educational institutions within the municipality. They oversee the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. These are the Masantol North Schools District Office, and Masantol South Schools District Office. Primary and elementary schools • Alauli Elementary School • Bagang Elementary School • Bagang Elementary School • Balibago Elementary School • Balibago Elementary School • Bebe Anac Elementary School • Bebe Matua Elementary School • Caingin Elementary School • Masantol Elementary School • Nigui Elementary School • Palimpe Elementary School • Puti Elementary School • Sagrada Elementary School • San Isidro (Talba) Elementary School • San Nicolas Elementary School • San Pedro Elementary School • Santa Cruz (Annex) Elementary School • Santa Cruz Main Elementary School • Santa Lucia Elementary school • St. Michael The Archangel Archdiocesan Parochial School Exclusive Catholic School • Sua Elementary School Secondary schools • Holy Child of Mary Academy • Malauli High School • Masantol High School • Tarik Suliman High School • Tomas Garcia Guintu Senior High School • Pampanga Institute • San Miguel Academy Technical school • TESDA Vocational Training Center Higher educational institution • Pampanga Institute ==Gallery==

File:Masantol Municipal Hall, Pampanga, Jun 2025 (1).jpg|Municipal Hall File:Masantol Church, Pampanga, Jun 2025 (2).jpg|Saint Michael the Archangel Parish Church File:MasantolPampangajfvvMasantolPampangajf.JPG|Covered court and 1878 Masantol Monument File:Masantoljf7.JPG|Public Market File:MasantolPampangajfgg.JPG|Holy Child of Mary College File:Masantol Transport Terminal, Pampanga, Jun 2025.jpg|Transport Terminal ==References==